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Shaw Restaurateurs Export Queen of Sheba to Ethiopia

Queen of Sheba co-founder Nigisti Gebreyesus tells Eater she is weeks away from opening a family-run restaurant in Ethiopia modeled after the decade-old tibs and injera haven she helped establish in Shaw.

“We’re opening Queen of Sheba D.C. in Addis Ababa,” Gebreyesus says of the new opportunity she’s pursuing while her family relocates to East Africa “for a few years.” Gebreyesus’ husband and children are already overseas, and she plans to join them as soon as she finds a buyer for the original restaurant at 1503 Ninth Street NW.

PoPville was tipped off about the sale by someone who spotted a Craigslist post soliciting bids for the neighborhood eatery. Per the ad, the asking price for the property Is $200,000; the current rent is pegged at $5,670 a month.

Gebreyesus says a few interested parties have been by to evaluate the restaurant, which opened in 2006, but there’s been no firm offers yet. “If the right buyers come in, we’re gonna sell it,” she says.

As for the new restaurant, Gebreyesus is raring to go. “It’s already built,” she tells Eater about the waiting business venture.